On a desolate planet named the End of Nothing at the edge of the galaxy, a group of robots and their human assistants form the religious institution called Vatican 17. This group is engaged in a secret project to create the ultimate infallible Pope a supercomputer robot containing all knowledge that can be gathered from this universe and other dimensions. Some of this information comes from human psychics called Listeners who can travel mentally to other planets and dimensions. Their experiences are recorded on “knowledge cubes” and eventually fed into the Pope. Based on the Pope's interpretation of all knowledge both material and spiritual the robots hope to establish a truly universal religion. A religious crisis occurs when one of their listeners called Mary claims to have found heaven. The “theological faction” of robots petition to have Mary canonized. But another robot faction doubts the authenticity of Mary's heaven. The Vatican fears an end to the search program. Mary is taken ill and cared for by the newcomer Dr. Jason Tennyson. When he arrives on the planet he quickly befriends Jill Roberts, a reporter who wants to write a formal history of the Colony. While exploring the new planet Tennyson meets Thomas Decker, who is usually accompanied by Whisperer. Whisper is a member of a species who were native to the planet. He has the ability to speak to Decker and soon finds out that he can communicate telepathically more easily with Tennyson than with Decker. Decker tells Tennyson that he thinks he knows where Mary's heaven is. Meanwhile, Decker is murdered by one of the theological faction robots in order to keep its location secret. Tennyson Jill and Whisperer discover the location of Mary’s heaven from the equation people, aliens from another dimension. They met several unique and strange aliens, including a triad of aliens consisting of a haystack with 13 eyes, a bubble named Smokey and octopus-like creature in constant Motion nicknamed Plopper. To their surprise, they also meet Decker or rather a duplicate of him. Mary's heaven turns out to be a type of center for galactic studies that collects physical samples of life forms from all over the galaxy. Tennyson and the others struggle to get back to Vatican with proof that Mary’s heaven is this galactic library, not the real heaven. The group is transported back to the End of Nothing, including the triad of aliens, thus providing proof that Mary’s heaven is not the real heaven. The Cardinals in the Vatican accept this evidence and the Search Program is restored.
Major Characters
Thomas Decker – A human traveler who crash landed on the planet and lives in solitude Whisperer – a “Duster,” a creature whose physical form is like diamond dust and who can communicate telepathically Jill Roberts – an investigative reporter writing a story about the little known Vatican 17 and their projects Ecuyer – coordinator of the Vatican’s Search Program Mary – the listener, who is able to travel psychically to other worlds and dimensions Dr. James Tennyson – a medical doctoron the run and a new arrival to End of Nothing Enoch Cardinal Theodosius – a robot cardinal of Vatican 17 caught between the theological party of robots and those that support the Search Program
Themes
Simak was haunted by what he thought would be his final statement. This novel reflects his search for "the Principle", the key to understanding the universe. This novel examines the dichotomy between faith and rationality.
Reception
In general, the novel was well received and is considered among Simak’s masterpieces. In his review in Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Easton recommends the novel. He highlights Simak’s friendly and pastoral style saying, “ven when his themes are cosmic, he renders them in terms of the day to day.” However, he criticizes Simak for his “curious use of robots”. “The robots might as well be laid-back flesh and blood.”
Reviews of Project Pope
Day, Geraint. Paperback Inferno, Volume 6, Number 4 1983 Easton, Tom. Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, November 1982 Harvey, Eve. Vector #106, February 1982 Henderson, C. J. Science Fiction Review #40, Fall 1981
